John Munson/The Star-LedgerThe Goethals Bridge, which connects Elizabeth to Staten Island, is shown in this file photo.

Staten Islanders who only occasionally drive to New Jersey to shop, have a good time, or visit in-laws will soon be able to take advantage of a steep discount at the borough’s three bi-state bridges, two officials of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said yesterday.

The discount would also benefit New Jersey businesses, grandparents and others west of the Arthur Kill by encouraging Staten Island residents to spend their money and time in the Garden State, Port Authority officials and New Jersey business people said.

"Awesome!" said Yan Vayner, owner of Cohen’s Fashion Optical at the Jersey Gardens mall in Elizabeth, near the Goethals Bridge, reacting to news of the discount.

Under a plan that the Port Authority Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on Thursday, officials said E-ZPass users will pay just $4.75 per crossing, or half the normal toll, on their third and all subsequent crossings within a 30-day period.

The officials insisted on being quoted anonymously because the board has not yet voted on the new discount plan. Approval is likely, however, because the officials said Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, who controls the Port Authority with Gov. Chris Christie, had directed commissioners to approve the plan on Thursday.

The discount, which would take effect 30 to 60 days after approval, was first reported by The Staten Island Advance Sunday.

Even before now, Staten Islanders who commuted across the Goethals, Outerbridge Crossing or Bayonne bridges, or who frequently drove across the bridges for some other reason, could take advantage of an existing plan allowing up to 10 round-trip crossings within a 30-day period at a total cost of $47.50. But that plan requires at least six crossings within 30 days to achieve any savings at all, while the new plan offers a savings after just three crossings.

"Basically, this benefits the people who travel infrequently," said one of the officials.

Staten Islanders with E-ZPass can enroll in the discount plan at www.panynj.com. The 30-day discount is unique to Staten Island, which unlike Manhattan, is not linked to New Jersey by rail or direct ferry service.

Staten Islanders who spend weekends at the Jersey Shore could benefit from the discount later this summer. At Hemingway’s in Seaside Heights, party and events manager Michael Blandina welcomed the discount for Staten Islanders.

"We actually do have a lot of people who come from that area, who come down to Ocean County, to Seaside Heights, and to Hemmigway’s," Blandina said. "Any kind of incentive to bring more people down here is just good for business and for the economy."